CHAPTER 253: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX

On the morning of the third day of the spring hunt, the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince encountered assassins while hunting in the southern woods. They were wounded by the assassins, but thankfully there was no threat to their lives.

The assassins did not escape; some were killed by the Imperial Guard on the spot, and others were captured by them.

After some interrogation, the surviving assassins confessed that they were sent from Yangzhou to carry out the assassination, aiming to take revenge on the Wang Family, Xun Family, and Yuan Family.

In secret, the Wang Family, Xun Family, and Yuan Family had all been collaborating with the aristocratic families from Yangzhou. However, those aristocracies held grudges because the Wang, Xun, and Yuan Families refused to help them.

The aristocratic families from Yangzhou believed that the Wang Family had long known about the Emperor’s plans against them but deliberately kept it a secret. They even cooperated with them on purpose. Thus, harboring resentment, they decided to assassinate the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince.

This explanation seemed perfectly reasonable, without any doubts, but the Emperor did not believe it.

Due to the assassination attempt on the Third Prince and his companions, this year’s spring hunt ended early. However, it was only half a day early. The spring hunt was initially supposed to end this afternoon, but because of the assassination attempt, it concluded in the morning.

The Third Prince and his companions were gravely injured and had to return to the palace for treatment.

Zhao Yao originally thought he could have another lavish meal at noon, but unexpectedly the last lunch of the spring hunt was gone.

"Alas, now I have to wait half a year for the autumn hunt," Zhao Yao sighed while lying in the carriage.

Liang Zhaoyi reached out and pinched Zhao Yao’s chubby cheek. "You’ve been eating meat for two days straight, and you still haven’t had enough?"

"No, how can one ever have enough meat?" Zhao Yao said, a look of regret on his slightly chubbier face due to all the eating these past two days. "It’s a pity I didn’t get to eat bear’s paw. I hope during the autumn hunt I can hunt a bear, then I can finally taste bear’s paw."

Liang Zhaoyi said, "The bear’s paw isn’t as delicious as you might think."

"Mother Consort, I’ll only know if it’s good after I’ve tried it myself." Zhao Yao thought to himself, grateful that they managed to hunt quite a few deer this spring hunt, so they could still enjoy some back at the palace for a few days. "Why is the spring hunt only three days long? Events like this should last ten days to half a month."

"I see that you wish the spring hunt could be held every day so you wouldn’t have to return to the palace to study."

Zhao Yao was not embarrassed at having his little scheme seen through by Liang Zhaoyi.

"Mother Consort, could you not bring up studying?" The thought of having to go to Wende Hall to study tomorrow instantly ruined his good mood from the past two days.

"If I don’t mention it, does that mean you don’t have to study tomorrow?"

"I still have to study." Not wanting to continue discussing the topic of studying, Zhao Yao brought up the assassination attempt on the Third Prince and his companions. "It must have been Eighth Brother who did it."

Liang Zhaoyi put down the book she was holding and asked with a puzzled expression, "Why would the Eighth Prince send people to assassinate the Third Prince and his companions?"

"Perhaps the Wang Family, Xun Family, and Yuan Family behind Third Brother and his companions did something to offend Eighth Brother." Zhao Yao, resting his head on his arm, said while yawning, "Or perhaps the Wang Family and Xun Family did something that obstructed Eighth Brother."

"If that’s the case, the Eighth Prince should have directly dealt with the Wang Family. Why go through the trouble of assassinating the Third Prince and his companions?" Liang Zhaoyi thought it would be more convenient to deal with the Wang Family directly compared to assassinating the Third Prince and his companions. Besides, assassinating the latter was too risky.

"To serve as a warning to the Wang Family," Zhao Yao speculated, "Regardless, to the Wang Family and the Yuan Family, Third Brother and his companions are extremely important. If something happens to them, wouldn’t all the Wang Family’s calculations over the years be in vain?"

"You have a point, but sending people to assassinate the Third Prince and his companions carries too much risk."

"Eighth Brother must have made comprehensive arrangements to ensure Father wouldn’t find out it was him." Zhao Yao commented, "Besides, no one would suspect it was Eighth Brother."

Liang Zhaoyi slightly furrowed her brows and said, "It’s still too risky." Although the Emperor might not trace it back to the Eighth Prince for now, with the Emperor’s intelligence and means, he would eventually find out. "He shouldn’t take such risks."

"Eighth Brother’s mind is hard to fathom." Zhao Yao, growing drowsier, yawned again and said, "Mother Consort, Qin Xiulian has been brought back to the palace by the Empress for care. The palace is going to get lively again soon. You and Second Consort should best keep your distance from Qin Xiulian."

Liang Zhaoyi slightly nodded and said, "Yes." Even if Zhao Yao hadn’t mentioned it, she and Yu Meiren had already intended to keep their distance from Qin Xiulian. "Sigh, the palace is going to be unsettled again."

"Mother Consort, when has the palace ever been peaceful?" Zhao Yao finished speaking and could no longer resist his drowsiness, closing his eyes and falling asleep.

Seeing her son asleep, Liang Zhaoyi reached out and adjusted the blanket covering him.